Production Cost Analyst

Company: Morgan Li LLC
Location: Chicago Heights
Posted on: April 3, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Job Title: Production Cost Analyst Reports to: Controller Position Status: Exempt GENERAL PURPOSE OF JOB: The Production Cost Analyst is responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely closure of manufacturing jobs in Epicor Kinetic and providing detailed production and cost reporting to the Accounting team. This role acts as a key liaison between Production, Inventory, and Accounting, ensuring job costs, labor, material usage, and variances are properly captured and reconciled to support financial close and operational decision-making. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Job Closing & Production Control - Review, validate, and close manufacturing jobs in Epicor Kinetic in accordance with company policies and accounting requirements. - Ensure all labor, material issues, subcontract operations, and quantity completions are accurately reported prior to job closure. - Investigate and resolve open operations, unreported labor, material variances, and WIP discrepancies. - Coordinate with Production Supervisors and Shop Floor personnel to correct data errors and missing transactions. - Monitor job status, exceptions, and aging jobs to ensure timely completion and closure. Costing & Accounting Support - Ensure job costs (labor, material, burden, subcontract) are accurate and properly posted in Epicor Kinetic. - Analyze job cost variances (material, labor, burden) and provide explanations to Accounting and Operations. - Support month-end and year-end close by ensuring production jobs are closed or accurately reflected as WIP. - Prepare and distribute job cost, variance, and production reports for Accounting review. - Assist Accounting with reconciliation between Epicor job data, inventory, WIP, and the general ledger. Reporting & Data Analysis - Develop and maintain standard and ad-hoc Epicor Kinetic reports related to job costs, production performance, and variances. - Analyze trends in production efficiency, scrap, rework, and cost overruns. - Provide clear, actionable data summaries to Accounting, Operations, and Management. - Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying data integrity issues and process gaps. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Compliance - Act as a point of contact between Production Control and Accounting for job-related inquiries. - Support audits by providing documentation and explanations of job costs and production transactions. - Ensure compliance with internal controls, costing standards, and ERP best practices. - Assist with Epicor Kinetic testing, upgrades, and process improvements related to production and costing. REASONING ABILITY: - Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop staff. - Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities, with a keen eye for detail. - Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments. - Analytical mindset, with the ability to troubleshoot issues and provide actionable solutions. - Ability to manage time effectively, meet deadlines, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. - Experience with manufacturing cost structures, inventory systems, and related financial processes is a plus. WORKING CONDITIONS: - Primarily office-based position, with occasional visits to manufacturing facilities for process improvement or meetings. LANGUAGE SKILLS: - English required, Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE - Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Accounting, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience). - 2 years of experience in Production Control, Manufacturing Analysis, or Cost Accounting. - Hands-on experience with Epicor Kinetic (job management, labor reporting, material transactions, job costing). - Strong understanding of manufacturing job costing, WIP, and inventory transactions. - Proficiency with Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, lookups, data analysis). PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES: - Experience supporting month-end close in a manufacturing environment. - Familiarity with standard cost and/or actual cost manufacturing environments. - Experience creating Epicor BAQs, dashboards, or custom reports a plus. - Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience a plus. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: On-the-job time spent in the following physical activities will be: Amount of Time None Under 1/3 1/3 – 2/3 Over 2/3 Stand X Walk X Sit X Use hands to finger, handle or feel X Reach with hands and arms X Climb or balance X Talk or hear X Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl X WORK ENVIRONMENT: This job requires exposure to the following environmental conditions: Amount of Time None Under 1/3 1/3 – 2/3 Over 2/3 Wet or humid conditions (non-weather) X Work near moving mechanical parts X Work in high, precarious places X Fumes or airborne particles X Toxic or caustic chemicals X Outdoor weather conditions X Extreme cold (non-weather) X Extreme heat (non-weather) X Risk of electrical shock X Work with explosives X Loud noise (examples: metal can manufacture department) is typical for the work environment of this job. NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. What We Offer: • Competitive rates • Comprehensive benefits package. • Medical, Dental and Vision benefits effective the 1st of the month following hire date • 10 paid Holidays • Paid PTO, based on years of service • 401k Safe Harbor Plan • Health Savings Account • Company Paid Life insurance plan for $40K • Company Paid Short Term Disability insurance • Employee Assistance Program • Employee Discount Program through Life Mart • Onsite Gym • Opportunities for career growth and professional development. • A supportive and collaborative work environment. *Join us in driving innovation and achieving excellence. Apply today to become a part of our success story! Morgan Li is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and to ensuring fair treatment regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We believe that diversity drives innovation and strengthens our team. All employment decisions at Morgan Li are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know, and we will work to provide a solution that meets your needs.

Keywords: Morgan Li LLC, Wheaton , Production Cost Analyst, Accounting, Auditing , Chicago Heights, Illinois